At once romantic and fleeting, there was no holding back: ruffled gowns poured forth a positive torrent of bridal-esque layers.

Soft, feminine ruffles at the Preen By Thornton Bregazzi show

Over at Preen by Thornton Bregazzi (above), ruffles lent an unexpected edge to asymmetrical gowns in a mostly muted palette of pastel hues.

They created a little extra grit amid the array of delicate, Victoriana textures and barely-there colour.

“I love the idea of a woman being able to stand up and deliver a lecture in front of a room full of men while wearing a beautiful floaty dress if she wants to. Why not?” says the label’s co-founder Thea Bregazzi.